No Gotze … so Klopp turns to Saints star

LIVERPOOL have turned their attention to Southampton forward Sadio Mane, after main target Mario Gotze indicated he will be staying at Bayern Munich.

Mane has also interested Manchester United and Tottenham and the Daily Star suggest the Senegal international would cost in the region of £25million.

There’s no doubt Mane, who ended last season as Southampton’s leading goalscorer with 15 in all competitions – despite being dropped in January following a lean spell – would further add to the talent and pace at Liverpool.

But whether the 24-year-old would opt for the Reds who, unlike United and Spurs will not be competing in Europe next season, is another matter.

There’s also the question of whether the Saints would be prepared to let yet another of their stars leave for Anfield, with Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Rickie Lambert having all made the switch to Liverpool in the last two summers.

However, a little sweetener may help tempt the south coast club and, according to a report in the Times, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to offer exciting young winger Jordon Ibe as part of a deal to secure Mane.